By Bill Carey
FireRescue1
WASHINGTON — U.S. Fire Administrator Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, FEMA Region 5 Administrator Tom Sivak and leaders of several national fire service organizations will launch a three-day, three-city Fire Stop Tour to promote winter fire safety ahead of the Department of Homeland Security Extreme Cold Summit on Jan. 26.
On Jan. 22, 23 and 24, the group will travel to Detroit, Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, to draw public attention to winter fire safety measures to help ensure that children and older adults are fire-safe.
- Detroit: Monday, Jan. 22, Detroit Fire Department Engine 30; 16543 Meyers Road
- Chicago: Tuesday, Jan. 23, Chicago Fire Department Engine 38; 3949 W 16th Street
- Columbus: Wednesday, Jan. 24, Columbus Division of Fire Station 16; 1465 Oakland Park Ave.
You have the least amount of time to escape a home fire than any other time in our history. #FireStopTour2024 starts today in Detroit to raise public awareness of the risks & how to yourself fire safe & #winterready pic.twitter.com/5LtIbczRMe
— U.S. Fire (USFA) (@usfire) January 22, 2024
Since the beginning of the new year, over 25 children across the country have died in home fires, according to the USFA. As of Jan. 20, the total number of fatalities (adults and children) was 142, with an average of eight fire fatalities a day. The USFA stated that fire deaths are on track to hit 3,000 in 2024, topping the nearly 2,300 deaths that occurred in 2023, which included 232 children and 498 older adults.
The USFA statistics highlight the need to educate the public on ways to protect themselves, especially during winter months, when fire dangers increase.
Fire service leaders who will be promoting the winter fire safety message:
- Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, U.S. Fire Administrator
- Tom Sivak, FEMA Region V Administrator
- Dr. Steve Kerber, Vice President, Fire Safety Research Institute
- Chief Donna Black, Immediate Past-President, International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Edward Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters
- Chief Kevin Quinn, National Volunteer Fire Council
- Victor Stagnaro, Chief Executive Officer, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
- Tom Lyons, Director of Communications, National Fire Protection Association
- Chief Shane Ray, President, National Fire Sprinkler Association